Himachal Pradesh Government Secures Rs. 903.21 Crore for 127 NABARD-Approved Projects, CM Announces Budget Priorities.
Shimla:
In a significant move aimed at boosting infrastructure and development in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the state government has secured approval for 127 projects, totaling Rs. 903.21 crore, from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for the financial year 2024-25. The announcement came during a budget priority meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Kangra, Kullu, and Kinnaur districts, held today in Shimla.
The Chief Minister highlighted that among the approved projects, 50 MLA-priority schemes under the Public Works Department (PWD) amounting to Rs. 412.75 crore and 23 schemes under the Jal Shakti Vibhag worth Rs. 179.07 crore were pivotal. These initiatives include a state-of-the-art dairy processing plant with a 1.5 LLPD capacity in Dagwar, Kangra district, and the installation of 96 electric bus charging stations across the state.
CM Sukhu further assured that efforts are underway to secure additional MLA-priority projects from NABARD by March 2025. He also revealed that the government has allocated Rs. 1087.77 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking a 5.28% increase compared to the previous year.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, Sukhu reiterated the “Vyavastha Parivartan” (Systematic Change) agenda. Over the past two years, the government has made strides in sectors like education, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure development. He mentioned the government’s recent initiative to raise the daily wages of MGNREGA workers from Rs. 240 to Rs. 300, benefiting thousands of workers across the state.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister outlined plans for a series of schemes aimed at strengthening the rural economy, generating local employment opportunities, and further boosting tourism, particularly in religious and tea tourism. The government plans to study West Bengal’s successful tea tourism model for potential adoption in Himachal Pradesh.
During the meeting, MLAs voiced their concerns and requests. Key demands included enhanced healthcare facilities, the establishment of new tourist centers, improved sports infrastructure, and better transport services. Notably, MLA Malender Rajan from Indora constituency sought the construction of an Adarsh health institute and expansion of local healthcare facilities. MLA Kamlesh Thakur from Dehra requested the appointment of staff at newly established government offices and improved infrastructure for sports and tourism in the region.
Other MLA requests included the promotion of tea tourism in Palampur, faster construction of an ice skating rink in Manali, and the expansion of air connectivity to Kullu. Additionally, several MLAs requested upgrades to local roads and the establishment of heli-taxi services to boost tourism and connectivity.
The meeting saw participation from key ministers and officials, including Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, and Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, among others. The discussions also covered ongoing infrastructure projects and strategies to ensure the state’s continued development across various sectors.
